The leaves beginning to fall should be a sign that it’s time to
think about re-gripping your clubs
The leaves beginning to fall should be a sign that it’s time to think about re-gripping your clubs. For many of you, as the days get short and the mornings turn cold, there is a little less golf to be played than during the warm, long days of spring and summer.
What better time to do some maintenance on your clubs, such as a new grip? The most important part of your grip is where the hands come into contact with the club, so you want to ensure there is a good bond.
Today, there are many choices of colors, materials and styles of grips, which makes the choice a personal preference. But make no mistake, if you are holding your club tight because the grip is slick, it’s time for a new one. A tight hold on a club will put tension in the swing, leading to poor contact and higher scores.
One factor to keep in mind when choosing a grip is size. Most grips are available in standard, midsize and oversized. Choose the one that best fits your hand. However, you can also change the “shape” of your shots with your grip size. An extra large grip will slow down the wrist action and help straighten out a hook. An undersized grip will increase your wrist action and help straighten out a slice. Those of you who suffer from arthritis might want to choose an oversized soft grip to make it easier on your hands during the swing.
Whatever you choose, a fresh new grip will improve your game. With the bright colors available now, a new grip might even distract your opponent.
Don DeLorenzo is a PGA-certified instructor at Gilroy Golf Course. To schedule a lesson with Don, call Gilroy GC at (408) 848-0490.
